Test and trace scammer tries to get Northampton resident to hand over card details for 'urgent' coronavirus test

Northampton residents are warned to not be fooled by scammers offering paid-for coronavirus tests over the phone after a recent cold call.

A Northampton Neighbourhood Watch member was called at around 1.30am by someone claiming to be from NHS Track and Trace and asking for card details to pay for a test.

According to the Ravensthorpe co-ordinator, the caller told the resident they were likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

They said the person had to self-isolate for seven days - which is incorrect as the self-isolation period is 14 days if you do not have symptoms - and get tested.

The caller refused to say who the positive coronavirus case was but insisted the residents had to get tested within 72 hours and asked for their address to send the kit to them.

The resident provided their address but got suspicious when the caller asked for a payment card as the test costed £50 - again this is wrong because coronavirus tests are free through the NHS.

However the caller insisted, saying: "Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying." The resident wisely hung up.

For more information about scams related to coronavirus and how to report them, visit Action Fraud's website.